China, Russia veto U.N. Syria resolution
Reuters
2012-07-19
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At the United Nations, Russia and China vetoed a Security Council resolution threatening sanctions on Syria. The plan also would extend a monitoring mission inside the country.
Reactions from western powers was swift.
Britain's ambassador to the United Nations.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) MARK LYALL GRANT, BRITISH AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS, SAYING:
"The United Kingdom is appalled by the decision of Russia and China to veto this draft resolution aimed at bringing an end to the bloodshed in Syria and to create the conditions for meaningful political progress. More than 14,000 innocent Syrians have been killed since Russia and China first vetoed our efforts to stem the violence in October last year. Since then the regime has intensified its use of heavy weapons in population centers, including the use of artillery and helicopter gunships. More than 100 civilians are being killed every day. The events in Damascus over the last 48 hours demonstrate the need for urgent and decisive action by the Security Counci
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) SUSAN RICE, UNITED STATES AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS, SAYING:
"The Security Council has failed utterly in its most important task on its agenda this year. This is another dark day in Turtle Bay. One can only hope that one day
China and Syria defended their positions.
Russian Ambassador Vitaly Churchkin.
SOUNDBTIE: VITALY CHURKIN, RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS, SAYING:
"The sponsors of this project that just failed have attempted to fan the flames of confrontation in the Security Council. The draft which was just voted on was biased. The threats of sanctions were leveled exclusively at the government of Syria. This runs counter to the spirit of the Geneva document and does not reflect the realities in the country today."
It's the third time the Russia and China have vetoed resolutions targeting President Bashar al-Assad, seen here for the first time since several members of his inner circle were killed.
Deborah Gembara, Reuters.
Reactions from western powers was swift.
Britain's ambassador to the United Nations.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) MARK LYALL GRANT, BRITISH AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS, SAYING:
"The United Kingdom is appalled by the decision of Russia and China to veto this draft resolution aimed at bringing an end to the bloodshed in Syria and to create the conditions for meaningful political progress. More than 14,000 innocent Syrians have been killed since Russia and China first vetoed our efforts to stem the violence in October last year. Since then the regime has intensified its use of heavy weapons in population centers, including the use of artillery and helicopter gunships. More than 100 civilians are being killed every day. The events in Damascus over the last 48 hours demonstrate the need for urgent and decisive action by the Security Counci
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) SUSAN RICE, UNITED STATES AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS, SAYING:
"The Security Council has failed utterly in its most important task on its agenda this year. This is another dark day in Turtle Bay. One can only hope that one day
China and Syria defended their positions.
Russian Ambassador Vitaly Churchkin.
SOUNDBTIE: VITALY CHURKIN, RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS, SAYING:
"The sponsors of this project that just failed have attempted to fan the flames of confrontation in the Security Council. The draft which was just voted on was biased. The threats of sanctions were leveled exclusively at the government of Syria. This runs counter to the spirit of the Geneva document and does not reflect the realities in the country today."
It's the third time the Russia and China have vetoed resolutions targeting President Bashar al-Assad, seen here for the first time since several members of his inner circle were killed.
Deborah Gembara, Reuters.
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